Tottenham vs Arsenal Preview: Make or Break for Mikel Arteta

Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a good performance against their North London rivals Tottenham, as pressure mounts on the under-performing Gunners.

Tottenham and Arsenal will face off in Matchday 11, in what will be the first North London matchup of the 2020/21 Premier League season. Arsenal will be hoping to reduce the gap between themselves and their cross-town rivals.

Pressure has been building on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, after several poor performances this season have resulted in the club being just three spots above the relegation zone on the Premier League table.

In startling contrast, Tottenham Hotspur have been on an exceptional run so far this season. Under José Mourinho’s direction, Spurs have shown why they should be considered legitimate title contenders.

The red-hot form of forwards Harry Kane and Heung-min son, as well as the midfield stability supplied by summer signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, have so far held Tottenham in great stead. Not to mention loan signing Gareth Bale, who scored mid-week in the team’s Europa League fixture.

Not since 1993 have Arsenal been in a lower League position heading into a North London Derby, but Mikel Arteta’s side will be hoping to derail Tottenham’s strong form thus far.

The keys for Arsenal 

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Arteta’s side will be hoping to defer from their now predictable playing style, one which is heavily reliant on utilizing the pace of forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in behind the opposition’s backline.

A main factor for Arsenal’s poor start is owed to the side’s inability to be dynamic when going forward, despite having talented wingers in Nicolas Pepe and Willian. Instead, Arsenal should be looking to nullify Tottenham’s ability to create.

This is where the summer signing of midfielder Thomas Partey comes in. In Arsenal’s 0-1 win over Manchester United Partey showed his ability to break up play, whether it be through tackling or intercepting.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane has dropped increasingly deeper so far this season, sometimes playing as a false 9 in order to create for Son and fellow winger Lucas Moura. Stopping Kane’s influence from these deeper positions will increase Arsenal’s chances of keeping a clean sheet.

Another key for the Gunners will be reducing the effectiveness of Tottenham’s ‘longball’. Spurs centre-back Toby Alderweireld has shown to be damaging with his ability to play long passes to Tottenham’s forwards. Pressing Spurs’ backline should be a target for Arsenal in Sunday’s matchup.

Spurs’ chance to cement title contention

Victory over Arsenal would result in a third consecutive finish on top of the table for José Mourinho’s side, with the hope of extending the gap between themselves and the current champions Liverpool.

The improving fitness of Gareth Bale and increased depth in all positions means Tottenham are likely to improve even further as the season progresses. This along with the team’s form and consistency will likely place them rightly as a title favourite.

What are your predictions for the North London Derby? Who is the title favourite right now? Make sure to sound off in the comments below.